DON JOSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT
4731 Southwest Lakeview Drive
Florida, 33870
Highlands County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★★☆☆☆ (2.2/5)
Based on 3 health inspection reports
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All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 4/7/2025
High Priority
4
Intermediate
2
Basic
6
Total
12
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards on the cook line are grooved.
- 33-19-4:Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed boxes and two bags of garbage on the pad behind dumpster.
- 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on the door handle of an oven in the back of kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
- 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing signs in the two men's bathroom, two women's bathroom and one other bathroom located next to the kitchen.
- 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid.
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed in walk in cooler a pot of black beans and a pot of pinto beans without a lid or cover, owner removed from cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
- 41-07-4:High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed neosporin cream on the shelf with canned food, owner moved. **Corrected On-Site**
- 01B-01-4:High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Two cans of chipotle that were dented on the can racks in the kitchen area, owner discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk in cooler raw ground beef stored over shredded mozzarella cheese, owner moved to different area. Observed in reach in cooler raw chicken was stored over sour cream, owner moved to different shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
- 12A-09-4:High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee in a prep area touching his pants without changing his gloves and not washing their hands and was returning to prep area owner stopped the employee, employee washed hands and changed gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed rice in the hand washing sink in back of kitchen, owner cleaned the sink. **Corrected On-Site**
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed a container of marinated chicken and a container of marinated steak in the walk in cooler without a date mark on it. **Repeat Violation**
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/7/2025 revealed 12 total violations (4 high priority, 2 intermediate, 6 basic).
Inspection on 3/28/2025
High Priority
0
Intermediate
0
Basic
2
Total
2
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 36-34-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed the ceiling vents in the back kitchen rusting. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
- 14-11-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed a shelf in the back kitchen with thick rust holding clean equipment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 3/28/2025 revealed 2 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 2 basic).
Inspection on 1/23/2025
High Priority
1
Intermediate
4
Basic
9
Total
14
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed the ice machine with a black mold like substance inside and the sliding doors with heavy algae. **Warning**
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed the ceiling vents in the back kitchen rusting. **Warning**
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drinks on prep table and next to food on shelves. **Warning**
- 13-07-4:Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees cooking food with watches and bracelets on. **Warning**
- 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed a shelf in the back kitchen with thick rust holding clean equipment. **Warning**
- 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning**
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed the floor around the soda fountain heavily soiled. **Warning**
- 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handles. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hoods and hood filters with excessive grease build up in the prep kitchen. **Warning**
- 01D-08-5:High Priority - Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. Operated stated he has the letter but could not find it or obtain it while I was present. **Warning**
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed a soiled can opener. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
- 53B-01-5:Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
- 11-26-1:Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Observed some illness reporting firms completed but not all. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed marinated chicken, cut salmon and house made sauces without a date marked in the walk in freezer. **Warning**
Food safety inspection conducted on 1/23/2025 revealed 14 total violations (1 high priority, 4 intermediate, 9 basic).